The Strands (formed in 2011 and fronted by British soul singer-songwriter Amanda Campbell) is a band from Santa Monica, US. Their lyrics are thoughtful and provocative. They call their genre artisanal and have released two albums so far.

Darren J Claxton

Never grow old

Darren J Claxton is a singer-songwriter from Derbyshire, UK. He has been playing music since the age of 9. The style of his music is a mix of country, folk and indie acoustic. He plays guitar, drums, keys, percussion and records in his home studio.

Suzanne Aurore

J'ai tant voyagé

Suzanne Aurore is a singer-songwriter from Paris, France. She often plays together with her 4-piece jazz band. She released her 11-track debut album "Le torrent" in 2013.

Gabby Young & Other Animals

Jessica

Gabby Young & Other Animals is a 9-piece band from London. So far they have released 3 albums, "We're All In This Together" (2009), "The Band Called Out For More" (2012) and "One Foot In Front Of The Other" (2014). They are working on the fourth one.

Kardemimmit

Autio huvila (Abandoned villa)

Kardemimmit is a folk music band from Finland of 4 young ladies who sing and play the kantele, a typical Finish instrument. So far they released 3 albums: "Viira" in 2006, "Kaisla" in 2009 and "Autio Huvila" in 2012.

Alexx Calise

Cry

Alexx Calise is a singer, guitarist and songwriter from Los Angeles. Next to making music she is also doing some acting jobs. In January she released her latest album, "Addition by Subtraction". In February she was interviewed by All Access Magazine.

La Strange

Voices

La Strange is a rock singer from Italy, who started as a vocalist, singing in local cover bands. Later she began to write her own songs. In 2009 she met producer James D Bell and started La Strange. In 2012 she released her album "Queen of Disguise".

Song of the Week

El Cuento de la Chica y la Tequila

Mama's freak

El Cuento de la Chica y la Tequila proves that music can bring people together. This 5-piece Italian band was formed in 2008 and all musicians quickly became friends. Their friendship affected the music, which became a fusion of the styles they like.

Julie Lamb

Attitude decayed

Julie Lamb is a (70's vibed) rock-based singer-songwriter from Wellington, New Zealand. She usually records and plays with her band. So far she has released 3 albums "Most and Least" (2008), "Trippin' the Light" (2012) and "When We Hang Out" (2014).

All Those Ships

Broken cassette

All Those Ships is the project of Brandon MacNeil from Derry, New Hampshire, US. Genres: alt-folk, indie-folk, baroque-pop

Mysti Mayhem

Better than money

Mysti Mayhem is a singer, songwriter and guitarist from North Carolina, US. She has a long background in off Broadway operas and stage acting from her youth. In 2008 she has released her album "Diversity". Nowadays Mysti Mayhem performs as a trio.

The Village is the project of guitarist and songwriter Phil Matthews from the UK, who has been writing and recording for over 25 years now. His music is based around the themes of reflection and reminiscence, along with thoughts of childhood.

Infinitus Mortus

The warrior within

Infinitus Mortus is a symphonic metal band from New Jersey, US. This started off as a studio project by Stephen Megna in 2008. Nowadays this is a band with variating members which breaks away from mainstream music, and delves into the darker.

Halfway September and it's over 30 degrees here in the Netherlands, crazy. I am boiling in the studio without air conditioning, and it is a good reason to play some songs suitable for hot weather.

More people have been visiting the website since the updates and some more artists and bands have joined TalentCast.

Today I will play one band and one solo artist for the first time. You will also hear some artists who are performing live this week, a lot of other independent artists and of course the Song of the Week winner, who is a clear winner again.

We had a very nice voting last week and it wasn't easy to enter this week's top 3. Thank you to all who have voted. We hope you will also this week find a song you like the most and vote for it.

Italian band with a Spanish name. Their music has Mexican Roots: El Cuento de la Chica y la Tequila. This 5-piece band was formed in 2008 and the musicians quickly became friends. Their friendship affected the music, which became a fusion of the styles (Mexican roots, rock, latin, blues) they like to listen to and play.

In 2012 El Cuento de la Chica y la Tequila was awarded Best New Act at Pistoia Blues.

So far, El Cuento de la Chica y la Tequila have released one album, 1st Tale and two EPs, The Wounded Healer and The Metamorphic Child. All are available on iTunes.